NSCN member arrested in Haflong

Clinson, the self-styled district commander of the outfit, was identified as the mastermind of two series of attacks on security forces during the past three years.

A source in Dima Hasao police said Clinson was taking shelter in a hut, along with three local linkmen, in Naga-dominated Lungmung village from where he was arrested on the basis of intelligence reports.

A 9mm pistol and a grenade were recovered from his possession.

“We are interrogating Clinson. He will be produced in court tomorrow,” the police source said.

According to the police source, he confessed his involvement in last Wednesday’s attack on the army at Mahur-Laisong road and yesterday’s attack in the lower Haflong area.

“Two of his close associates — lieutenant colonel Lingsuk and senior armed cadre Ellis — are working in the district according to reports and they were with him during the two recent ambushes,” the police source said.

Six army jawans were critically injured in the Mahur Laisong attack by the NSCN (I-M) on Wednesday. The militant group gunned down police constable Lohit Nath in an ambush near lower Haflong yesterday.

“Clinson, Lingsuk and Ellis visited Manipur recently and participated in a conclave there. It is suspected that decision of the series of operations on security forces was taken in the conclave and the three were entrusted with the work. The other two will be caught soon and their interrogation may bring to light more facts,” the police source said.

In neighbouring Karbi Anglong, police arrested a Naga couple in the Sukanjan area today and recovered 18 detonators and a grenade from them.